St. Ambrose University is collaborating with Loras College to offer Loras undergraduate students the option to pursue graduate study in physical therapy while completing their bachelor's degree at Loras. This option would allow students to complete their undergraduate degree and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in five and a half years through a 3+2.5-year articulation agreement. In addition to offering an accelerated timeline to completing the doctorate, the agreement guarantees the top five Loras students interviews with St. Ambrose's Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program as part of the application process.
The St. Ambrose Physical Therapy Department is comprised of a DPT program and an Orthopedic Residency program. The DPT program provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver high quality physical therapy services and includes training in clinical decision-making and evidence-based practice, and skills to care for medically complex patients. The DPT students learn in a person-centered and inter-professional environment with the seven other healthcare programs in the College of Health and Human Service including Kinesiology, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant, Public Health, Social Work and Speech and Language Pathology.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job market for physical therapists is expected to grow much faster than average for all occupations at 18 percent through 2029 because of aging baby boomers. St. Ambrose DPT students meet this healthcare workforce demand with an ultimate licensure pass rate of 100% and 100% job placement rate within one year.
St. Ambrose Provost Paul Koch, Ph.D. said, "We are eager to provide this opportunity to Loras College students as we continue to build our partnership to ensure enhanced access through multiple pathways for students. We remain committed to serving the healthcare needs of the region, including rural healthcare, through programs such as this."
Loras faculty are developing degree plans so students entering Loras can complete their general education requirements, major requirements, and prerequisite courses for the DPT program in their first three years as a Duhawk. Loras College students who have completed the application requirements and achieved a overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher will be eligible to apply in their junior year for admission to St. Ambrose's DPT program.
If accepted into the DPT program, students will transition to St. Ambrose University in their fourth year and will be awarded a bachelor's degree from Loras after the successful completion of their first year of courses at St. Ambrose. Students who successfully complete all requirements will be awarded the DPT degree from St. Ambrose University at the conclusion of two and a half years.
The first cohort of Loras students may apply for admission to the 3+2.5 DPT program at St. Ambrose University for the fall 2024.
Read the full transfer agreement here.
